Dante (networking)

Dante is the product name for a combination of software, hardware, and network protocols that delivers uncompressed, multi-channel, low-latency digital audio over a standard Ethernet network using Layer 3 IP packets.[5] Developed in 2006 by the Sydney-based Audinate, Dante builds on previous audio over Ethernet and audio over IP technologies.

For other uses, see Dante (disambiguation).
Dante
Manufacturer Info
ManufacturerAudinate Pty. Ltd.
Development date2006 (2006)
Network Compatibility
SwitchableYes
RoutableYes[lower-alpha 1]
Ethernet data ratesFast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Audio Specifications
Minimum latency150 µs[1]
Maximum channels per link1024 (512x512)
Maximum sampling rate192 kHz[2][3]
Maximum bit depth32 bits[4]

Like most other audio over Ethernet technologies, Dante is primarily for professional, commercial applications. Most often, it is used in applications where a large number of audio channels must be transmitted over relatively long distances or to multiple locations.

Digital audio provides several advantages over traditional analog audio distribution. Audio transmitted over analog cables can be adversely affected by signal degradation due to electromagnetic interference, high-frequency attenuation, and voltage drop over long cable runs. Thanks to digital multiplexing, the cabling requirements for digital audio distribution are almost always reduced when compared to analog audio. Dante also provides specific advantages over first-generation audio over Ethernet technologies, such as CobraNet and EtherSound. Technological advancements include native gigabit support,[6] higher channel count, lower latency, and automatic configuration.

History
A Dante interface card installed in a Lawo sound mixer

After Motorola closed an Australian research facility in 2003, current Audinate CEO Aidan Williams brought a team of researchers to the National Information and Communication Technology Australia (NICTA) research centre in Sydney, Australia. There, with the help of government funding, the team spent three years developing the foundations of Dante. In 2006, Williams founded Audinate and began the process of bringing Dante to the market.[7]

Audinate received funding from NICTA until negotiations concluded in 2006, at which point Audinate became NICTA's first successful spin-out company.[8] Since 2006, Audinate has also secured two rounds of A$4 million investments led by venture capital firms Starfish Ventures and Innovation Capital.[9][10] In 2009, Audinate established an office in Portland, Oregon and also has offices in Cambridge (UK)[11] and Hong Kong.[12]

As of March 2021 Audinate has licensed 350 companies, which have produced over 3000 products[13] that incorporate Dante technology.[14]

Platforms

Audinate offers Dante technology on a number of hardware and software platforms.

Third-party software and hardware companies that sell Dante solutions must license it from Audinate.

Notes
  1. Although the UDP packets used for encapsulation of audio are routable, the multicast DNS discovery protocol used by Dante does not traverse routers without special provisions.

References
  1. "Getting Started with Dante: 1. Dante Overview". Audinate. 2015-07-02. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
  2. "Best Practices in Network Audio" (PDF). Audio Engineering Society. 2009. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  3. Jin Evans (2011-02-02). "Audinate debuts Dante Brooklyn II". L&Si Online. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
  4. "Dante Brooklyn II Data Sheet" (PDF). Audinate. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  5. "Dante Controller Manual, page 6: About Dante" (PDF). Audinate. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-26.
  6. Dante-MY16-AUD (PDF), Yamaha, retrieved 2011-10-16
  7. Holder, Christopher. "Audinate Dante" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  8. NICTA (December 7, 2007). "Audinate". Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  9. "Innovation Capital leads $4,000,000 Series A investment in Audinate Pty Ltd". April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2011. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  10. "Audinate Raises Additional $4 Million in Funding to Fuel Growth". January 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  11. "AV uptake leads Audinate to push European expansion through recruiting drive". 13 January 2021.
  12. "From NICTA spin-off to global audio success-story". Electronics News. 2015-08-06. Archived from the original on 2015-08-10. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  13. "Dante now supported in more than 3,000 devices". Entourage Pro. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  14. David Swan (March 16, 2017). "Audio golden-child Audinate mulls IPO". The Australian.
  15. "Dante Domain Manager". Audinate. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
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